Samsung Upcycling Program: Give Old Tech New Life

With yearly technology updates being commonplace, a significant concern has always been how to handle the older devices we frequently replace. Several methods exist for discarding and recycling these items, which often include valuable rare earth elements and potentially hazardous substances. The practice of upcycling has also gained traction as a viable solution—providing a renewed purpose for outdated technology. Even if your smartphone is three years old, it may still hold considerable value.

Samsung revealed its new Galaxy Upcycling at Home initiative during the opening press conference at this morning’s CES event. Currently, details regarding the program are somewhat general—with a more comprehensive presentation anticipated at this Friday’s Galaxy Unpacked event. According to the company: “This new program reconsiders the lifespan of older Galaxy phones and provides customers with possibilities for transforming their devices into a range of useful IoT applications.”

The press conference showcased examples such as a baby monitoring system, a pet care device capable of remotely controlling lights, and a generalized “secure digital home” solution leveraging Samsung Knox. It will be compelling to discover further developments in this area—and there’s a definite benefit to extending the usability of older technology beyond its originally intended lifespan.

In addition, the company highlighted another engaging project introduced in recent years: packaging that can be repurposed into practical household items. Samsung announced that all of its QLED, UHD TV, and audio products will now include this type of packaging.

Per Samsung: